Optiorange Regatta 2026 at Real Club Náutico de Valencia - Overall
by Pep Portas 1 Mar 19:18 UTC
26 February - 1 March 2026
The Optiorange 2026 now has new owners. Finland's Sisu Selio (Brando Seglare) and Spain's Mª Antonia Peñalver (CN Mar Menor Los Alcázares) have been proclaimed champions of the eighth edition of the Optimist class children's regatta at the RCN in Valencia. They did so after four days with nine races completed: five in the qualifying round and four in the final series.
Selio faced the final day after taking the lead in the fleet on Saturday. He arrived with a slight advantage over Turkey's Cengiz Eren Güvenç (Yalikavak SC) and, today, with only one race completed in light wind conditions—which did not exceed 5 knots from the northeast—he managed to defend that position. A sixth place finish, added to the results of his main rivals, was enough to crown him champion.
The silver medal went to Güvenç, who finished seventh on Sunday and accumulated a total of 34 points, ten behind the winner. The bronze went to another Turkish representative, Eren Kaan Erendemir (Galatasaray Spor Kulubu), who finished with the same score as his compatriot. However, Güvenç's better stage results earned him second place in the final standings.
On a local note, Pablo López (RCN de Valencia) put in an impressive performance, finishing in fifth place. He has two stage victories and a third place to his name, results that allow him to leave the Valencia regatta with a total of 64 points.
In the women's category, Spain's María Antonia Peñalver (CN Mar Menor) had no trouble clinching the title. The sailor from Alcázar de Henares took the lead on the opening day and held on to it throughout the four days of competition. She scored one stage victory, in addition to finishing 4th, 5th, and 6th in the qualifying round.
The silver medal went to Poland's Pola Wojcik (KU AZS UW), who finished just four points behind the Murcian, while the bronze went to another Spanish sailor, Valentina Belso (RCN de Torrevieja), who finished 18 points behind the winner.
In the Under-13 category, Mason Lim (Performance Sailing Institute) from the United States was crowned champion. He was joined on the podium by Lucas Christiansen and Kerem Kilic (KARAC), who completed the top three.
In the women's category, the podium was made up of Nikole Victoria Douglas (CN Jávea), Alix Nguyen-Minh (Sopraventus / Aberdeen Boat Club), and Noa López (RCN de Valencia).
The Valencia regatta was part of the Optimist Excellence Cup, being the last event on the circuit, along with those held in Vigo, Palma, Gran Canaria, El Puerto de Santa María, Torrevieja, and Palamós. This event marks the end of the circuit, with the final podium consisting of Nicolás Bastard (RCM del Abra), Mara Peñalver (CN Mar Menor), Izan Rogel (RCN Torrevieja), Nicolás Navarro (RCR Alicante) and Iván Sáez (RCN Torrevieja).
The trophy giving ceremony was attended by Rafel Chirivella, Vice President of the Valencian Community Sailing Federation, accompanied by Carlos Cerdá, Secretary; Joaquin Valero, AECIO; Andrés Arlandis, President of the RCN of Valencia, accompanied by Sergio Ferrando, Sailing Representative, and Jorge Basterra, Fleet Captain.
Quotes:
Sisu Selio: "I did very well in these conditions. Sailing in Valencia is always enjoyable: the warm weather and strong winds make the regatta a real challenge and, at the same time, a lot of fun. I am especially happy to have won the Optiorange title; ending the circuit with this victory is very satisfying and recognition of all the effort put in over the last few days."
Mara Peñalver: "Today was not an easy day: the wind conditions were very light and changeable, with quite a few shifts, which made sailing very difficult. From this regatta, I have learned that starts are crucial and can make all the difference in the final result. Despite these difficulties, I am very satisfied to have won the Optiorange title at the RCN in Valencia; ending the Valencia regatta with this success is a great reward for the effort and perseverance of these days."